Engine-starter.



J. LIEBFRIED.

ENGNE STARTER.

A BPLIGATIQN FILED JULY 3,1912.

Patented Mar. 11,1913.

MMM/

' inseam.

" UNITED STATES PATENT. oE-EroE.

*JACOB LIEBEEIED, 0E Los ANGELES, oALIFonNIA, AssIeNon or ONE-FOURTH 'ro EDGAR. LAWRENCE NroHoLsoN, 0E Los ANGELES; CALIFORNIA.

speciacenon of Letters Patent. PatentedMar. it, i913.

Application lcd Julyrf, 192. Serial No. 707,572.

To all whom 'it may concern.

Be it known that I, JACOB LIEBFRIED, a citizen `of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles, State of California,- have invented new and use-- ful lmprovements in Engine-Starters, ofl

y then igntine that charge to start the normal operation of the engine. In my presen-t combination l: utilize a suitable means for forming and supplymg a combustible mixture underpressure; andY this means preferably takes'the form of a suitable pump mechanismadapted to force a .charge of gasolene and air through a carbureter mechanism. The inflammable charge thus prepared is forced under pressure vto the distributei' apparatus, and hence is distributed to vthe proper cylinders. It isin this distributer apparatus, and in its co1nbinatious with the other portions of the starting mechanism that I wish to especially base my claim. i

'. The distributer apparatus preferably .responding in number to the cylinders of thev engine, operated to be opened and closed in synchronism with the engine operation. I preferably employ a central valve operating cam adapted'to engage-successively with the valve stems ofthe valve' mechanism. These yvalve mechanisms are of a peculiar xconstruction, and accomplish functions 4*vvln'ush I. believe to be entirely novel. When ump, these valve mechanisms are theeginis at rest and when ahcharge is all 'closed 'withthe exception of one held open by thel cam. vThe one open valve will .admit a'combustible charge to the proper cylinder. Immediately the engine has been startedand commences its normal operation, the Asuction produced bythe pistons on their intake strokes operates each of the valve mech- .50 'anisms tomove themcompletely out of operative engagement with the cam 'and to close the valves to prevent' thev engine cylinders ob- .taining any further supply'of gas through comprises a series of valve mechanisms, cor.-v

tWovalve closing members, each of which is adapted to' seat on one vof the valve seats. When the englne starting operation is comtions farthest toward the cam and the valves are closed by one set of valve closing members;I when the engins starts its normal op eration the suction acts to draw the valve stems to their positions farthest from the cam and to close the valves by the other valve Y(closing members.' This same suction caused movement moves the valve stems to a point Wherethey cannot be engaged by the cam, t-hus throwing the distributer completely out of action'. I also combine in my charge distributer an electrical distributer. Each of the valve stems is preferably insulated vfrom the frame and has an electrical connection at its outer end. The electrical cir cuit through the distributer is completed by the engagement of the cam with the valve stems. .'Thus, at'thc same time that the charge distributer is thrown out of action, the electrical distributer is thrown out of action' by the making of a permanent gap between the cam and all of the valve stems. These'features, and many other subsidiary thereto, will be explained in the following speciicationsand the mechanism embodying them is sho-wn in the accompanying drawings, in which.:

Figure 1 isaside elevation showing the application of my improved starter tol a four cylinder engine. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the charge forming and sup 1ig. 3 is asection taken on plying device. y I* line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a horizontal [fragmentary section of my improved dismay be applied to any type of' engine, of

any number of cylinders, andan any situ menced the valve stems are in their posi tion. In these drawings 10 ldesignatesthe" que cylinder formed within the hollow pis- .order of the cylinders. Each pipe 11 is proi vided with a special check valve.13, (see Fig. 6) to prevent back movement of pressure from the cylinders to the timerv and dist-ributer,l but to allow passage of fluid freely from4 the distributor to the various cylinders., Check valves 13 are constructed as best shown' in Fig. 6, being madeto fit into an ordinary spark plug opening. The .valve 120 is supported by a spring 121 to be normally closed. It will be lunderstood that the function' of the distributer is to, vsend the starting mixture to the cylinder which is on its explosion stroke; that is, to the cylinder havngboth inlet and exhaust valves closed. It is also the function of the distributer to supply electrical ignition current to the proper cylinder at the proper time; and arrangements are made so that it is impossible with my device to spark the charged cylinder until after its piston has passed over the upper center.` There are also means in the distributer to entirely throw it out of action as soon as the engine starts its normal operation, discontinuing any possible supply of mixture from the starting mechanism and also discontinuing the starting ignition. When Athe starting operation is discontinued, the ordinary or magneto mechanism is thrown into action. These' features will be explained in the following after I have explained in detail the construction andoperation of my pressure carbureter. i

In Fig. 1 I have shown the air and gasopump 20 mounted. on the longitudinal framework of the automobile. Hollow iston rod 21 extends out of the cylinder 22 and is connected to a crosshead 23 which is operated Athrough connecting rods 24 from the lower end 25 of a hand lever 26. Lever 26 is pivoted at 27 to the car so that a movementjof the lever in direction indicated vbythe aibw -will move the various part-s of the pump in the direction indicated by the v p aspect of Fig. 2 being -reversed to that of Fig. 1).

arrow in Fig. 2. (the y The hollow ,abutment wall 21a, a cylinder head for piston rod 21 has an whichbecomes in effect tonrod and in which a suitable piston 25 is adapted to operate, piston 25 being also mounted on a hollow stationary piston rod- 26 which has an open end at.26a. Piston at the end` opposite piston rod 21, and at its outer end it connects at 26h. with a chamber-27 in leicarbureter mechanism 28. This chamber 27 has an inwardly opening check valve 29 beow and an outwardly opening valve 30 vcylinder walls.

above. It will be seen that the movement of piston rod 21 in the direction indicated by the arrow will draw in gasolene through pipe 31, (this pipe being'cOnnccted to the gasolene tank 36 or any other suitable gasolene supply) andv that the subsequent movement of piston rod 2l in the opposite direction will force the gasolene out through hollow piston rod 26 and up through valve 30 into duct 32 in the carburetor mechanism. This dutt connects directly with a nozzle' 33 controlledby needle valve 34, the gasolene being forced through the needle valve into a fine spray in chamber 35. Hollow piston rod 21 carries a piston 40 fitting within cylinder 22 and acting to compress air in the end of the cylinder adjacent the carbureter mechanism, the piston being of. the cup leather type and having an arrangementof my own design, including a spring 4 1, to keep the leather'A in engagement with the When the 4piston is moved in.the direction it is seen -that air will be forced out from the cylinder through tube 42 which discharges into carbureting chamber 35 above the needle valve 34. Thedischarges of gasolene and air into the carbureting chamber are consequently simultaneous and a stream of air and gasolene vapor is'forced through pipe 45 to the distributer apparatus.

sure'in order toy infallibly start the engine;. -and I have made arrangements so that,

when this pressure 1s reached in the= charged cylinder, the surplus gasolene spplied' by further manual operation of the pump will be either returned to the storage tank or will pass to the other cylindersto'primc them with a charge of pure gasolene, so that they will have an enriched mixture to fa cilitate starting. This is accomplished by having an outwardly opening valve 50 connected with d'uct 32` a spring 51 normally holding lthe valve closed. When a certain pressure has been reached in the charged cylinder, and 'this pressure communlcated itself to the duct 32, then the pressure will open valve 50 against the action of spring 51 and the surplus gasolene will pass out through the valve into a tubel 52 which leads to the distributer mechanism as shown in Fig, 4. I will now describe how the distributer sends the combustible. mixture to the appropriate cylinder and sends the priming fluid to all lthe other cylinders.

A tf

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cam 65 mounted upon upper end of shaft 63- is adapted to engage successively with valve stems 66 of the distributer apparatus.

)When the engine is at rest these valve stems will normally be in thepositions shown in Fig. e, three et them being 1n their positions raised by the cam 65. The detail section of Fig. 5 shows the part-s in the position where the valve stein 66is raised by the cam 65. Each et valve stems 66 carries a preferably 67 which seats against seat 68 r- `on indicated hy the arrow in Fig. 5) to the limit of its movement. But it will be seen that the cam never moves the valve stem to thisl cuter limitof motion. Fiber i valve 67 is preferably made of such shape that it maf/carry a. cup leatherl) which lits` Within a cylinder to make a fluid tight packing and to serve a purpose to be hereinafter described. Valve stem 66 carries aneppositely to valve. 67 on a valve seat 72. When the valve stems are in their positions inward (in the direction opposite to that indicated in Fig. 5) the valves 71will seat en their respective seats. The duct 61 connects with chambers 73 back of valves 71, (ses Fig. t) so that any pressure in the duct will immediately tend to seat valves 71 and to close any exit troni the duct. l@ne o1' these valves 71 is always prevented from seating ley the action of cam 65K; and the innahle mixtureflrom the duct 61 will be teiwdfthrough theV ape ture of seat 72A around valve stein 66, liet-Ween valve 67 and vaiveseat 68 and into apassage 75 which leads upwardly te a crossl passage 7 6 conv-.iith ene et' pipes 11 leading to the cylinders; the pipe 11 leading from this particular valve l am new speaking of connecting with the cylinder which is on its erplesion stroke. The mixture under pressure will criaequently be forced into the appropriete cylinder-where'it Will be immedi- `nearest the shaft 63 and the fourth being valve is moved outwardly (in the A Aetherprefieralily jber valve 7l which seats.

4e l ignited when the ignition circuit is on duct 61 is always greater than the pressure on duct 62; and this for several reasons, but it will be sufficient to pointrto the fact that the pressure in pipe 52 leading to du'ct 62 willbe less than the pressure in pipe 45 leading to duct 61 by at least the amount necessary for opening the valve 50. Consequently, the vapor pressure on .the upper side of ball valve 7 8 will be always suliicient to hold the valve closed against the liquid pressure on the lower side of the valve; and the liquid is thus prevented from passing into the pipe 11 leading to the cylinder to which explosive mixture is being supplied. But on all Athe other ball valves (with certain limitations hereinafter noted) there 1s no superior'vappr pressure and the valves will be opened by the liquid pressure from beneath andthe liquid Willpass intofpassages 76 to be drawn into the'cor-responding cylinders upon the next suction strokes thereofu ,the engine cylinders will be trgansmitted throu h pipes 11 to act upon cup leathers`69 to pull the valve stems 66 to their outermost positions and toithus seat the lvalves 67. This closes all communications of the duct Q61` with pipes 11 and" the .engine cylinders must then obtain all of their mixture in the ordinary manner through the ordinary carloureter.v When the engine stops operation Mthe valves will be left in their outermost positions; butfimmediately the starter pump is manually operated the pressure. in duet 61 will close all of the valves 71 except the one held open by the action of cam 65, as hereinbefore described. Cam 65 and piston rods 66 also serve the purpose-of an electrical distrilouten= The four'primary circuit Wires 8O of the battery/ignition are secured to binding. posts 81 which are mnunted directly on sockets 82 inl which the'l enter end-s of valve stems 66 are held. Insulating` sleeve 83 separates socket 82 electrically from the frame of the distributer; and the `liber valves 67 and 71 are the'only parts on valve -stein 66 which come into contact with the with a ber or other insulating piece 84s() that,'although a valve stem 66 may be ene'aeed and raised lay-the cam just as or slightly before the corresponding piston passes over its upper center, the saine valve .stem will not be grounded on thecam until the Whole' engine has rotated slightly farther and 'placed than particular piston in the valve* to its outermostposition moves such position thatignition of the charge will not cause reverse motion of the engine. The'charge is .ired by closing any suitable switch in the battery ignition circuit, the distributer causing the proper cylinder to be fired Immediately the engine start-s its normal operation, the valve stems are all drawn .outwardly as before described so that their inner ends will not `contact with the cam as it rotates. This throws not only the mixture j distributing) apparatus completely out of operation, t also entirely disconnects the battery-ignitionfromthe cylinder. The magneto is immediately-connected to start o'per-` ation' when the battery ignition is thrown ofi'. Beneath any one of valves' 71 there is arranged a'push ,rod 100 adapted @to be pushed downwardly by the incline 71 on .the back'of the valve when the valve moves in the direction indicated. 4rMovement of rod.v 100 down suiiiciently to engage a con-` tact .100 with 'a stationary contact 101.

Electrical. connection with moving contact LlOleaving from contacts 101 and 102 con# 100a is. made by contact 102. Wires 103 and neet int-o the magneto vprimary ,in such manner that closing of their circuits starts op eration of the magneto.

I have shown a preferred means of closing the sparkingcircuit for starting the enginelt 0n piston rod 21 I have'mounted a brush contact 110 adapted to pass over a spring contact 111 when thestartin'gpump nears theend of its stroke (when the pressure in `,the charged engine cylinder is at the maximum). WiresllZ and 113 connect-to the contacts 110 and 111,-leading to'coil box 1143 and one side of battery 115, respectively. The other side of the-battery is grounded;

while circuit 'completing grounds areA ob! tainedinl'the distributer, to which the wires i so lead from @011 box l114. The ordinary econdary wires 115 lead from the coil box lo the spark plugs. Wires 116 connect from the magneto to the spark plugs.

Having described my invention I claim:

1. In combination with Ian internal com` bastion engine Lof' the cylinder and piston type, a chargefsupplying apparatus,a charge distributer, said distributer including valves i mechanically operated in synchronism with the engine and means whereby lsuction created by t e normal travelof the piston in the cylinder n causes the closing of said valves. l r

22 In combination, with an internal combustion engine of the multiple cylinder and- I `piston type, a combustible charge supplying `apparatus, a charge distributer including a cam operated by .the engine, valves operated by saidv cam to'admit charges toA the engine-cylinder, and means operated by the suction created bythe travel of the' piss tons in the cylinders toclose the distributer.V

valves and throw them out of operative relation to the cam.

3. In combination with an internal combustion engine of the multiple cylinder and piston type, a combustible charge supplying apparatus, a. charge distributer including valves mechanically operated in synchro nism withthe engine, a battery ignition system cooperating with the distributer and having contacts operated with the valves thereof, a magneto ignition system, and

means operated by the suction produced by.

the pistons of the engine operating normally to close said distributer valves to vopen the contacts of the battery ignition system and to throw into operation the magneto ignition system. y

5. Ina device of the class described a distributer comprising a frame, a 'rotating cam, a valve stem movable to and from` the cam, a valve opening in the frame, valve closing members on the stem adaptedto close the opening by opposite movements of the valve stem, and suction operated means to move the valve stem away from the cam to cause the closing of the valve opening.

6. In a device of the class described, a dis- .105

tributer comprising a frame, a. rotating cam, a plurality of valves arranged on the frame, each valve comprising al valve opening in the frame having valve seats facing oppositeply,an insulated valve stem projecting to engage the cam and carrying two valve closing members adapted to seat each on one of the saidtwo valve seats, suction operated means to-move the stems away Ifrom the cam and to seat one of the closing members 'on the corresponding valve seats, and electrical connections to the valve stems, the

electrical circuits through the-distributer being completed, by engagement' of the cam with the valve stems. n

7. In combination dwith an internal combustion engine having asuctionperiod, a charge Supplying apparatus, a charge-distributer operated in s ynchronism with the engine, and means `whereby the normal suction of the engine discontinues the operation ofthe .distributer. A

8;In colnbination witlrl an internal combustion engineliaving a su'ction period, a

charge supplying apparatus, a charge distributing and igniting mechanism operated in synchronism with lthe enginelzgnnd means whereby the normal suction of the engine discontinues the operation of the said mechanism.

i 9.*In combination with an internal combustion engine having a suction period, an

auxiliary ignition system including a distributeroperated in synchronism with the engine, and means operated by the normal suction of the engine to discontinue the operation of the distributer.

10. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a suction period, an auxiliary ignition system including a distributer, said distributer comprising a cam -operated from the engine and a movable cont-act coperat'ing therewith, and means operated by the normal engine suction to move the contact away from the camv so as 2o to. discontinue electrical contact between`the Same.

In Witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name t is 25th day of June 1912.

JACOB LIEBFRIED.

`Witnesses:

J AMES T. BARiiELEW, EDWooD H. BARKELEW.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for 've cents each, by'addressing the Commissioner of Patenti,

' Washington, D. C. 

